Plastic Surgery

Jennifer Lopez has a very, well, ample derriere. Barbara Streisand has a prominent nose and Sarah Jessica Parker has a large mole on her chin. What do these mega-stars have in common? They all have features that some people might consider unattractive. But these women, and many other celebrities, are proving that people come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes supposed “flaws” make a person more unique and beautiful. After all, where would Cindy Crawford be without her infamous brown birthmark?

Unfortunately, some teens feel that their faces or bodies are not perfect enough. According to statistics by the American Academy of Pediatrics, four percent of plastic surgery procedures in the United States are performed on teenagers. According to American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 87,966 cosmetic surgical procedures were performed on teens age 13-19 in 2020, while 141,774 minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures were performed. The most common surgeries are on the nose, ears and laser skin resurfacing.

 4% of plastic surgery procedures in the United States are performed on teenagers.

Teenage surgery comes with great risks. Many teens are still developing and bodies change; features that may seem odd or misshapen suddenly become perfectly proportional. As a teen’s personality and character grow, so will her body. Jumping to the conclusion that surgery is a necessity may make the cosmetic adjustment look abnormal in the future or lead to regret because she learns to live comfortably in her own unique skin. Since a teen’s body is still developing, she experiences higher risks from plastic surgery. Due to the lack of a mature body, repeat procedures throughout life may result. With insurance rarely covering the procedure, this can become very expensive, very quickly. Having surgery hurts and takes time to heal. Going under the knife can leave scarring, bruising and even cause long-term damage. Many breast implants leak, tummy tucks leave a rope-like scar and all surgery carries risk for death.

Everyday growth of a teen’s body causes physical stress, so plastic surgery causes extra, unnecessary stress. Emotional strain also becomes a major factor in the aftermath. Plastic surgery can become an addiction for the pursuit of perfection, but who defines perfection – the media, one’s peers? The reaction of others can’t be controlled – some may approve of the results, others may not. Finding acceptance is taxing. Plus, adjusting to any type of change is emotional, and can be difficult if one doesn’t have the right support system. Generally, individuals feel depressed directly after the surgery because of the painful healing process. Then, they begin to love the result, but soon find themselves disappointed because the procedure isn’t impacting their life the way they dreamed it would. Having a procedure done doesn’t necessarily alleviate the stress and frustration as expected.

Teens tend to have plastic surgery to fit in with peers. They want to look similar to everyone else (whereas adults tend to have plastic surgery to standout from others). One study found that body-image satisfaction did improve after cosmetic surgery, but satisfaction among individuals as they grow and mature increases anyway, leaving this study insufficient. As teens mature, their body image tends to improve regardless of whether they undergo cosmetic change.

People come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes supposed “flaws” make a person more unique and beautiful

If teens eventually grow to love themselves, then why not strive for acceptance now? God loves each one of His creations and crafted them according to His perfect design. He finds them beautiful because they are a true reflection of His majesty. It is honorable to recognize God’s craftsmanship in the physical appearance of someone else. But, let them have their beauty. It’s no one’s place to desire it for themselves. Adjusting one’s own body to look exactly like someone else demonstrates a lack of character, confidence and self-worth. Every single soul on earth was bought with a hefty price – making every attribute of a physical body highly valuable. Trying to be someone else illustrates a lack of authenticity leading to a fake demeanor. Plastic surgery physically adds a fake proponent to the body. Be real with yourself, rather than a forged counterfeit.

Plastic surgery might seem like a good idea, a quick fix to erase some body parts that feel awkward, but the truth is, everyone has insecurities. Find relief in imperfections – they’re what makes every body unique and interesting. Like so many rich and famous, the imperfections are what the world will eventually be drawn to. Embracing the insecurities helps people enjoy it now, assisting in personal acceptance. The most beautiful people in the world have some supposed imperfections. Being true to yourself, being confident in your own skin and being proud of yourself enhances beauty much more than any nip or tuck.

If you’re still in a rut about your mirror misgivings consider these gorgeous gals who are the epitome of iconic beauty:

Celebrity                                                             Insecurity

These ladies have benefited from their insecurities. They are recognized by their imperfections, which helps define who they are. Instead of hiding from her so-called flaw, each woman accentuates her beautiful uniqueness.